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theguardian.com
Alphabet’s shares drop after announcing $80bn share sale, as AI threatens to drive up youth unemployment – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsAnthropic confidentially files for initial public offering on US stock marketIn a landmark moment, gold has overtaken US government bonds as the world’s top reserve asset, according to calculations from the European Central Bank.The ECB says that gold made up 27% of total official foreign reserves at the end of 2025, ahead of US Treasuries (22% of reserves) and the euro (15%).Forces of fragmentation are becoming more pronounced. Geopolitical tensions continue to drive strong central bank demand for gold.In nominal terms, the gold price surged by around 60% and 30% in 2025 and 2024 respectively, which mechanically increases the share of gold in total official foreign reserves.Correcting for such valuation effects by using the gold price at the end of 2023, the share of the euro (16%) remains at par with the share of gold (16%), while the share of US Treasuries continues to be markedly higher (26%). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Zero-hours contracts: ministers’ detailed plans for UK ban criticised by firms and unions
Government says it would prefer workers to be guaranteed between eight and 20 hours a week based on regular hoursBusiness live – latest updatesMinisters are facing criticism from unions and employers after laying out details of plans for a guaranteed regular working week as part of a ban on zero-hours contracts.Under rules poised to come into force next year, employers will have to offer staff, including agency workers, a contract that guarantees a minimum number of hours each week based on their regular working hours. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How England’s largest forest went from commodity to conservation haven
Kielder in Northumberland is balancing commercial production with conserving peatland and rare plants and animalsDriving through part of Northumberland, you might look around at the tall Sitka spruce and imagine yourself in Canada’s evergreen forests, or perhaps, on a sunny day, in northern California. Instead, you are in England’s largest forest, Kielder, often heralded as a success story that balances commercial production with ambitious conservation.The first trees of this 60,000-hectare forest were planted 100 years ago with one aim: increasing Britain’s timber reserves. Much has changed since then. From a single-use plantation, Kielder Forest has been transformed into a haven for nature and an invaluable environmental asset. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Third of people say uni degree not worth it, as student loan inquiry begins
MPs will hear the concerns of graduates about the size of their student debts, and the interest rates.
theguardian.com
Will the AI economy create a permanent underclass?
From India and Africa to Europe, countries not yet in the AI supply chain risk mass job losses, losing the tax revenue needed to deal with the tech’s falloutBusiness live – AI to drive up UK youth unemploymentThe San Francisco Bay Area is in the midst of an AI frenzy that makes the California gold rush of the mid-19th century look like a scavenger hunt. Top programmers and developers are being offered compensation packages worth hundreds of millions of dollars to switch firms, while young engineers lucky enough to have joined leading AI startups early are contemplating retirement before age 35.Driving up the Bayshore Freeway from San Francisco International airport into the city, you pass hyper-specific billboards advertising obscure AI applications seemingly aimed at absurdly niche audiences. How can that possibly be profitable? The answer is that in a city crawling with startups, getting the right software product in front of a founder whose company could soon be worth billions of dollars is far more lucrative than using billboard space to sell burgers or laundry detergent. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Instagram AI chatbot tricked by hackers to give access to others' accounts
Some reports have linked the incident to recent cases of high-profile Instagram accounts being hijacked.
theguardian.com
BP backs Amanda Blanc to lead search for new chair despite investor concerns
Senior independent director to handle process again after Albert Manifold’s shock departure last weekBusiness live – latest updatesBP has backed Amanda Blanc to lead its search for a new chair for a second time, shrugging off investor concerns over her role at the company after the shock departure of its chair last week.Some shareholders have voiced concerns over Blanc, the senior independent director at the British oil company, running the process again after Albert Manifold’s short stint as chair. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Post Office scandal victim dedicates OBE to 'sub-postmasters we have lost'
The 92-year-old said she dedicate the OBE to 'all sub-postmasters we have lost'.
bbc.com
China goes after 'ghost kitchens' to rein in cut-throat food delivery apps
The thousands of "ghost kitchens" - online shops that don't actually exist - have spooked Chinese consumers.
theguardian.com
London tube strike causes huge disruption, with many services hit
About half of London Underground drivers take action on Tuesday, with second strike scheduled for ThursdayA 24-hour strike by London Underground drivers has begun, causing huge disruption to tube services and on the roads.About half of London’s tube drivers are taking part in the action in a dispute over the introduction of a four-day working week. A second strike is planned for Thursday. Continue reading...
bbc.com
AI giant Anthropic plans to sell shares in US as valuation nears $1tn
The AI company behind Claude is set to offer the public the chance to buy and sell shares in the firm later this year.
bbc.com
Steph Curry signs with Chinese brand after Under Armour split
Chinese firms have been vying to secure deals with big stars as they push to become global brands.
theguardian.com
I surrendered my driving licence after a spinal injury but the DVLA revoked it
Although I voluntarily handed in the licence, the agency’s action has made it far harder for me to get it backI suffered a spinal cord injury in August 2024. I voluntarily surrendered my driving licence to the DVLA, only for it to revoke it instead. This makes it much, much harder to get it back later on.I’ve since been told that I need to take a medical driving assessment to get the licence back, but I am unable to take one because I do not have a licence. I am now on my third application, with evidence from my spinal consultant and an off-road driving assessment confirming that I can drive with hand controls. This was submitted two months ago, and the DVLA still can’t update me. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Orbán’s oligarchs on edge as Hungary poised to launch wealth tax
New PM Péter Magyar calls policy a sign of ‘social justice’ after years of political loyalty being rewarded with economic opportunityIn a dimly lit television studio, one of Hungary’s richest men is on the verge of tears. It is early May, weeks after the general election that ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year grip on power, and the advertising mogul Gyula Balásy has an announcement to make.Balásy tells the interviewer that he has just surrendered his businesses to the state, along with a chunk of his private savings. He has even brought along a notarised deed – a legal document setting out the change of ownership. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Despite what the UK right will tell you, appeasing bond markets has actually led to instability | Andy Beckett
Austerity has benefitted bond traders but impoverished British society and led to the rise of populism. Is it right that we carry on adhering to their interests?Should politics always be dominated by economics? Should questions about how governments and voters pay for things – whether by earnings, taxes or borrowing – be settled before we consider the wider consequences?In an anxious capitalist democracy such as Britain, with a modern history of patchy economic success and intermittent but recurring crises over public debt, the answer may seem obvious: governments and voters always need to behave in ways that fit with the market forces that shape our economy.Andy Beckett is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.com
London Tube strikes go ahead after talks fail
Members of the RMT union are on strike on Tuesday in a row over working hours, with further action planned for Thursday.
bbc.com
How 'confused' AI rollout hurts firms and baffles staff
Some firms are putting pressure on staff to use AI, but have not thought through their AI rollout.
theguardian.com
UK’s growing green economy worth more than £100bn a year, research finds
Net zero industry accounts for more than a million jobs and benefits whole country, according to CBI EconomicsMore than a million jobs, higher wages, nearly half a trillion pounds in investment in the pipeline – the UK’s green economy is powering ahead, according to research by the country’s leading business organisation.The net zero economy, which is worth more than £100bn a year, benefits all of the UK, according to the CBI Economics analysis commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit thinktank, despite critics who want to abolish the UK’s net zero targets. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Sadiq Khan vows to overrule residents’ group’s objections to Soho bars and restaurants
London mayor says Soho Society’s decision to challenge all new licensing applications is ‘bad’ for citySadiq Khan, the London mayor, has suggested he will overrule a residents’ society that has vowed to challenge all new applications for pubs and restaurants in Soho.The Guardian revealed last week that the Soho Society, a residents’ group established in 1972 aimed at “preserving the character of Soho”, voted for a new licensing mandate, meaning it will challenge all new applications for bars and restaurants in the area, including renewals of existing licences. Continue reading...
bbc.com
OpenAI let ChatGPT aid and abet mass shooters, Florida lawsuit claims
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier alleges OpenAI and boss Sam Altman built a 'web of deceit'
theguardian.com
Trump had no plan B for Iran. It shows | Kenneth Roth
The US president’s war of choice has accomplished nothing and cost the world greatlyDonald Trump claims to have mastered the Art of the Deal, but he has just given us a master class in negotiating incompetence. I would love to see an Iranian government that no longer represses its people, menaces its neighbors, or can build a nuclear weapon. Trump has set back all of these efforts. His cabinet of sycophants offered little resistance as he naively bombed first and faced reality later.Trump is reviewing and tinkering with a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) drafted by American and Iranian diplomats with the aid of Pakistan and Qatar. It would continue the current ceasefire for 60 days while a more permanent peace accord is negotiated. The precise contours of this preliminary agreement are not known, but its gist seems clear – and is a profound embarrassment for Trump. His unprovoked war of choice has accomplished all of nothing. A new approach is urgently needed. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
EasyJet is an obvious takeover target, but US approach may not be a flyer | Nils Pratley
Castlelake’s move raises questions over valuation and ownership rules as well as whether Stelios Haji-Ioannou could throw a spanner in the worksEasyJet says US takeover bid would be ‘highly opportunistic’A share price gain of only 10% on a possible takeover approach is a meek reaction. If the stock market truly believed that Castlelake, a US investment fund, stood a decent chance of buying easyJet, you would expect the target’s stock to fly significantly higher. Scepticism is the right stance until at least three factors become clearer.First, would the two sides even be vaguely in the same landing zone on valuation? EasyJet’s description of Castlelake’s timing as “highly opportunistic” was boilerplate rhetoric (all bids are opportunistic to a degree) but in this case it is clearly possible that all European airlines’ prospects could be brighter within a couple of months. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Utter disaster’: Alan Bates attacks schemes compensating post office operators
Government should not be involved in providing redress to victims of Horizon IT scandal, campaigner tells MPsSir Alan Bates has said that the schemes set up to compensate post office operators over the Horizon IT scandal have been an “utter disaster” and that the government should not be involved in running them.Bates, who led a two-decade fight for justice for thousands of post office operators falsely accused and wrongfully convicted for theft and false accounting, has previously accused the government of presiding over a “quasi-kangaroo court” system for compensation. Continue reading...
bbc.com
UK banks blocked from cyber AI tool Mythos get offer from rival OpenAI
Nine banks have been offered access to GPT 5.5 Cyber, as fierce rival Anthropic has blocked previews of its tool.
theguardian.com
Kent residents struggle without water in a heatwave | Letter
Yvonne Singh says the government needs to hold South East Water to account after elderly and vulnerable residents had to queue at water stations in the hottest week of the yearThe story is a depressingly familiar one: from bank holiday Monday, thousands of homes in Kent had no water all last week (‘They’re a private company, run for profit!’: fury in Kent at South East Water’s outages, 28 May). This on the hottest week of the year so far. No water for drinking, flushing toilets, washing hands, bathing or cleaning, let alone sprinklers in the garden.Vulnerable and elderly people and families were forced to queue in the searing heat for bottled water at water stations. Those on priority lists did not received promised deliveries and had to rely on the kindness of friends and families. In Whitstable, the first hot week of the summer promised profit. Instead, cafes, pubs, famed oyster bars and leisure centres were forced to close, resulting in thousands of pounds being lost from the local economy. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Wise under investigation over money laundering control concerns
Wise says it is working with the Brussels prosecutor's office but that "no specific findings have been shared with us to date".
theguardian.com
Trump insists ‘all is well’ despite US-Iran strikes – The Latest
As Israel threatens to bomb Beirut and the US and Iran trade missile strikes, Donald Trump insists it will ‘all work out well in the end’ and urges his critics to ‘sit back and relax’. So are we any closer to a deal? Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Ex-Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell sounds alarm over political interference
Powell says central bank has been facing ‘stress test’ under Trump, as supreme court weighs decision on Fed governor that president tried to fireSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailJerome Powell, the former chair of the Federal Reserve, has warned that a single act of political interference in monetary policy could permanently destroy public trust in the central bank.As Donald Trump’s administration continues to test the Fed’s longstanding independence, Powell said in a speech on Sunday night that the institution was in the midst of a “stress test”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Media mogul Barry Diller’s People offers to buy MGM Resorts for over $18bn
Focus on casino operator is sharp departure from media for Diller as markets remain volatileMedia mogul Barry Diller’s People Inc said on Monday it had proposed to buy MGM Resorts, valuing the casino operator at more than $18bn.The offer comes just weeks after Diller, the digital media company’s chair, told shareholders in a 28 April letter that People would sharpen its focus on its MGM stake, calling the stock “wildly undervalued”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tech billionaires are spending unprecedented sums in California races. Experts say it’s the tip of the iceberg
From Google co-founder Brin spending $82m to fight a billionaire tax to Google and Meta funding a joint Super Pac, Silicon Valley is engaged in an existential fight for its political power at homeTech billionaires have shelled out hundreds of millions of dollars ahead of the 2 June primary election in California, in an unrivaled attempt to influence who gets to run the state that Silicon Valley calls home.The industry has used a cover-all-bases approach, funding candidates and ballot measures big and small, contributing to what looks to be the most expensive primary season in California history. The goal, experts say, is to gain both political and regulatory leverage that will perpetuate dominance in business.Google co-founder Sergey Brin has spent $82m since January, more than any other donor, to fight a billionaire tax that’s up for a vote on the November ballot.Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan has received more donations than any other candidate, including from top executives at Google, Amazon, Snap, LinkedIn, Reddit and Palantir.Crypto mogul Chris Larsen has funded three Super Pacs with $26m to sway campaigns across California, including giving $1m to back a primary candidate for state insurance commissioner.Google and Meta have collectively funded a Super Pac with $10m to back assembly and senate candidates in local district races across the state.Silicon Valley money is flowing toward city primaries as well as state-level ones, with tech-backed Pacs sponsoring voter guides suggesting how to vote on local tax measures. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK house prices fall for first time this year amid rising mortgage rates
Nationwide finds typical price was £278,024 in May, as Savills says Iran war has ‘fundamentally changed’ outlookBusiness live – latest updatesHouse prices fell in the UK for the first time this year in May, as rising interest rates triggered by the war in Iran hurt homebuyer demand.The price of the average UK home dropped 0.6% in May compared with the month before, according to the lender Nationwide. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Abusive passengers could be blacklisted from all airlines under new proposal
The scheme would allow airlines to share information on disruptive passengers and potentially restrict their access to flights.
theguardian.com
Wise investigated in Belgium over money-laundering control concerns
International money transfer service’s shares tumble as it confirms discussions with prosecutor’s officeBusiness live – latest updatesWise, the UK-based international money transfer service and darling of the London fintech scene, has confirmed it is answering questions from Belgian prosecutors investigating money laundering, sending its shares tumbling.In a statement to the stock market, Wise said it was “currently working with the Brussels prosecutor to respond to queries about our business, as we routinely do with regulators and law-enforcement authorities. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Catastrophic for creative industries’: Brexit barriers shut UK actors out of EU jobs
Casting shifts to EU talent as paperwork delays and visa limits make hiring British crews less viableFrom blacklists for UK passport holders to being asked to work illegally while on holiday, the plethora of extra costs and red tape thrown up post-Brexit are restricting opportunities for British actors seeking work in the EU.Mainland Europe has always been a springboard for those in the creative industries, from gaining crucial first credits on a TV, film or theatre production to building a marketable resume and paying the bills while attempting to make it big in the UK or US. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
French navy boards Russia-linked oil tanker in Atlantic – video
France has released footage that appears to show French naval commandos boarding a ship suspected of being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' and subject to international sanctions. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said the operation took place on the tanker, named the Tagor, with support of the UK and in strict compliance with the law of the sea. The French navy confirmed the interception occurred on SundayMacron says French navy has boarded Russia-linked oil tanker in Atlantic Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Reeves examines using private sector funds to speed building of new towns
Chancellor in talks with banks and investment funds about public-private partnerships to build infrastructureBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves is examining how to attract funds from private investors to accelerate the government’s development of new towns in England.The chancellor has begun talks with some of the UK’s biggest banks and investment funds about building infrastructure for new towns based on public-private partnerships (PPP) – a successor to the much-criticised Tony Blair-era private finance initiative (PFI). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Caring for ageing parents is becoming a financial nightmare in the US. Here’s what we can do | Courtney E Martin
Most families have little saved for retirement – and face unfair shame for it. It’s time to cut the bootstrap rhetoricWhat does it cost to age with dignity?It’s an urgent question as the youngest baby boomers approach 65 and their adult children prepare to take on their care.Day programs. Day programs for elders, like those for kids, are a fantastic community resource. Publicly funded transportation can take elders to a center designed with their joy and capacity in mind. My dad went to one such program and it was a balm; he sang karaoke, he saw the on-staff nurse when needed, and I was able to get some work done without him joining my Zoom calls. What’s more, according to recent estimates, the median day program costs $100 a day v about $200 for assisted living and more than $200 for in-home care. Day programs, vastly underfunded in most states, are a great way to keep elders ageing in place, prevent loneliness, and make sure family caregivers don’t burn out or have to quit their jobs.Worker-owned home healthcare. There’s a care workforce shortage for good reason; too many of these jobs aren’t good jobs. One small but growing part of the home healthcare market consists of worker-owned cooperatives, where professional caregivers are the leaders of their own organizations – setting hourly rates, vacation and sick leave policies, and training approaches. These organizations are shown to have far better worker retention than traditional care companies and, of course, it’s a boon to family caregivers to know that the person taking care of their loved one feels empowered and will stick around.Public long-term care insurance. Washington is the first state in the country to create public long-term care for its full-time workers, WACares. By contributing a small amount (0.58%) from wages to the fund, Washingtonians earn a long-term care benefit (up to $36,500) for when they need it. This could be a test case for other states that want to be humane places for people to age.Courtney E Martin has a weekly newsletter called Examined Family. Her most recent book is Learning in Public: Lessons for a Racially Divided America From My Daughter’s School Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Royal Mail investigated again as almost a quarter of first-class post arrives late
Latest figures show the company’s delivery performance has worsened compared with the previous yearBusiness live – latest updatesThe postal regulator has launched an investigation into Royal Mail for once again missing its annual delivery targets, with almost a quarter of first-class mail arriving late.The company, which has been fined £37m since 2023 for routinely failing to meet delivery targets set by Ofcom, revealed on Friday that 24.3% of first-class mail failed to arrive on time in the year to the end of March. Continue reading...
bbc.com
What's happening to UK petrol and diesel prices?
Motoring group RAC warns pump prices could keep rising if there is no resolution to the Iran war.
bbc.com
Nvidia announces new AI chip for personal computers
The technology giant's boss Jensen Huang called the move the "reinvention of the computer".
theguardian.com
‘Where are the jobs?’: as US autoworkers face offshoring, Democrats vie to win votes
Workers who voted for Trump and Republicans in recent elections are now being hit with offshoring and the impacts of tariffs – but can Democrats sway them?Brenda Davis, a retiree who worked at Ford in Ohio for more than 20 years, was dismayed to learn that a new Buick she bought from General Motors was manufactured entirely in China. Foreign vehicles are strongly discouraged from parking lots at autoworkers’ facilities, as they serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat outsourcing poses to their livelihoods.Morgan Hughes, who currently works at the General Motors assembly plant in Springfield, Ohio, is worried about the impact tariffs have had on her plant’s dwindling workload and its recent sale to a different owner, as concerns over a plant closure have loomed over the factory for years. Continue reading...
bbc.com
EasyJet says possible takeover bid 'opportunistic'
US investment firm Castlelake is considering making an offer for the budget airline.
bbc.com
Put a £5 deposit on vapes to stop fires, say waste companies
The industry body for waste companies says a refundable deposit would help boost vape recycling, but others disagree.
theguardian.com
EasyJet says US takeover bid would be ‘highly opportunistic’
Airline’s shares hit highest level in three months as investment group Castlelake says it is considering offerNils Pratley: EasyJet is an obvious takeover target, but US approach may not be a flyerEasyJet has called a potential £3bn bid by a US investment group “highly opportunistic” as shares in the airline shot up to their highest level in three months on news of the takeover interest.The US private credit firm Castlelake said on Friday it was considering a takeover offer for the airline. On Monday, it said it had already bought a 2.14% stake in the business and its offer would value easyJet at least at 403p a share, or about £3bn overall. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Cheap’ parking at Stansted airport cost me hundreds of pounds
We left our car at the short-stay car park after paying £66 for a one-week ‘meet and greet’ service I have ended up hundreds of pounds out of pocket after paying £66 for a week’s parking at Stansted airport.I booked through the website compareairportparkings.co.uk for our car to be collected at the short-stay car park, parked off-site while we were away, and then returned to us at the short stay. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Home care workers face fuel cost spike fears
Home care workers must be paid for their mileage and travel time, a Sheffield-based carer says.
bbc.com
Election 2026: Child poverty a 'huge red flag'
The children's commissioner says child poverty in Jersey "is a big red flag" for the community.
theguardian.com
AI is devoid of meaning and humanity. That’s why its vapid voice suits this political moment | Nesrine Malik
For ease and speed, we are degrading our ability to connect and to organise our societies. We must assert our trust in humans over machinesHere is a nightmare scenario for you. You are writing a book about how AI reshapes reality. You start using it as a research partner, confident that you are applying the right hygiene by not letting it actually write a sentence of the book. You think you’ll be careful, you will double check everything. And then your book comes out and it appears that it includes more than a half dozen misattributed or fake quotes. Steven Rosenbaum, the unfortunate writer, acknowledged that sometimes the output of AI was “staggeringly wrong”, but still, errors crept in.There are others. A Commonwealth prize-winning short story became engulfed in claims that it carried the hallmarks of AI. And every time I see a story of a journalist caught out by fake AI quotes during research, I cross myself – there but for the grace of God go I. But to make sure it is not left up to grace alone, I never touch the thing. When AI results pop up as the default in a search engine, I reject them, rebuke them, as if they contained a dark sorcery that would through mere engagement creep into my synapses and take control.Nesrine Malik is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
bbc.com
A year of grief after Air India crash: What remains when a plane falls from the sky
A mother still speaks about her son who died in the crash in the present tense and a brother waits for answers.
bbc.com
Secret tunnels and unregistered workers: China's coal mine disaster is a reminder of darker days
China's worst coal mining disaster in 15 years comes amid an ambitious pivot towards green energy.
bbc.com
Caribbean hot sauce producers warn of shortages and higher prices
Manufacturers in Jamaica say the key chilli peppers they need are in limited supply.
bbc.com
Why is Lidl opening a pub?
The debate about about what seems like a bizarre idea of having a cold pint after exploring the store's well known middle aisle.
theguardian.com
Ella Baron on the UK’s youth unemployment crisis – cartoon
Continue reading...
theguardian.com
This model is not a real person: how AI is changing online shopping – video
From digital twins to models ‘sculpted’ by programmers, generative AI has been popping up all over the fashion industry. When an Australian e-commerce retailer started using AI-generated models to sell products, lifestyle editor Alyx Gorman had to see if the garments were more than mere pixels.The Iconic, which sells the dress worn in this video, said in a statement: ‘Where AI-generated imagery is used to advertise products for sale on our platform, our expectation is that it is clearly labelled and that the product itself is represented as accurately as possible for customers.’ Meanwhile, Atoir, the designer, said: ‘The Australian fashion industry is highly competitive, particularly for independent brands. We believe that when used responsibly, tools like this can help smaller businesses to operate with greater agility while still maintaining the creative standards and product integrity that matter to both the brand and the customer’Calling all fashion models … now AI is coming for you Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Four in 10 struggle to access mobile signal on the move in the UK
Survey finds frustration with connectivity to 4G or 5G, highlighting weaknesses in digital infrastructureMore than four in 10 people in the UK struggle to access 4G or 5G on their mobile devices for at least half the time they are on the move, according to a survey that highlights the poor state of the country’s digital infrastructure.The poll of more than 2,000 users of digital devices found that 45% felt frustrated with mobile connectivity outside the home at least once a week. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, that figure rose to 57%. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It’s never enough’: young Americans struggle to build financial independence as cost of living spikes
A difficult job market and rising costs are making it harder for young adults to enter adulthoodYoung people are already facing the worst entry-level job market since the start of the pandemic and significant economic instability.But overall economic conditions are making it more challenging for those just entering adulthood. More than eight in 10 young adults rate the economy as “bad” or “terrible”, according to a recent survey conducted with more than 1,000 18- to 34-year-olds around the US by Generation Lab, a research firm studying young people. While young adulthood is known as a time for establishing independence and responsibility, many are attempting to do so amid cuts to social safety net programs and the ever-increasing costs of basic needs like gas and groceries. Continue reading...
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Disaster of Brexit is a warning against simple solutions to hard problems | Richard Partington
Alan Milburn says youth unemployment has no quick fixes – an idea with an important lesson for those thinking about how to rejoin the EUMainstream politicians are rarely direct. It is part of the reason why their populist counterparts thrive: they say it like it is. No nonsense. Let’s get things done. But last week Alan Milburn had a frank rebuttal: “Everybody goes for the bloody easy solution, don’t they? You can’t just go for the easy solution, OK? There are no easy solutions, guys. None. They’re all hard.”Speaking at the launch of his review into Britain’s youth worklessness crisis, the former Labour cabinet minister was arguing that one tax U-turn could not fix a problem decades in the making. Continue reading...
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‘Your devices could be at risk’: how McAfee antivirus scams trade on fear
Urgent renewal emails and huge discounts figures are used to pressure people to hand over their dataYou have had McAfee antivirus software installed on your laptop for years after becoming fearful that your computer would be infected. So when an email arrives to say your protection is about to expire, you are not surprised. Better still, there is a “renewal discount” of 89% if you pay on the same day.“Once the expiration date has passed, your computer becomes susceptible to many different virus threats,” the email warns. Continue reading...
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‘The potential is huge’: Plymouth hopes defence money will have it sailing again
Local leaders are optimistic investment and regeneration plans will help make ‘ocean city’ an appealing place to livePlymouth may only have been rebranded as “Britain’s ocean city” in recent years, but its role as a centre of UK defence can be traced back to the 16th century thanks to its strategic location on Devon’s south coast. Sir Francis Drake set sail from Plymouth on his circumnavigation of the globe and it was here the Pilgrims finally departed England for America on board the Mayflower.In more recent decades, a dependence on the defence sector no longer seemed an asset, as spending cuts and the loss of dockyard jobs forced the city with a proud maritime history to square up to a new foe: economic uncertainty. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The household battery revolution that could change energy bills … and the world
Australia is pioneering a revolution in home renewables and battery use, proving what is possible with the right policiesThe timing was rich with symbolism. As intense heatwaves pummelled Europe and Asia, and oil markets around the world leapt and sputtered, the two big chimneys of one of Australia’s largest power stations were being demolished. Meanwhile, the Australian energy minister was holding a media conference to hail a fall of up to 10% in the benchmark electricity price in parts of the country.Quietly, and with surprisingly little fanfare from the rest of the world, Australia is pioneering a revolution in home renewables and battery use, proving what is possible with the right policies. The country was already one of the global leaders in domestic solar power, with panels on one in three homes. It also remains, however, a major contributor to the climate crisis through its vast fossil fuel exports. But it is batteries that are giving Australia a new burst of speed. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Why Britain's notoriously bad train wi-fi might soon be a thing of the past
How bad is the signal on our trains? We spoke to commuters to find out.
bbc.com
Ferrari wanted to take on Chinese EVs with the Luce - then the backlash started
The brand's first EV has been heavily criticised, with some saying it has abandoned Ferrari's roots.
bbc.com
Ex-M&S chief to help government tackle youth unemployment
Marc Bolland will advise on getting young people into work after a review warned of a "lost generation".
theguardian.com
What’s gone wrong at Everyman and can the luxury cinema chain regain its magic?
More competition and loss-making sites are among the challenges for the new turnaround chief executiveWith its comfy sofas and a menu of gourmet treats including Béarnaise smash burgers and trendy Whispering Angel rosé wine at £47 a bottle, Everyman has thrived as the go-to chain for a luxury cinema trip.Yet a quarter of a century after reinventing the movie-going experience, growing from a single venue in Hampstead in London to a national player with 49 sites, the arthouse chain finds itself struggling as rivals ape its successful formula. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘That’s why we work in finance – so one day we can afford air-con’: Britain’s unequal heatwave
While some found this week’s heat a breeze, many in poorer areas face health risks in furnace-like homesTravelling from his air-conditioned flat to the air-conditioned Elizabeth line to his air-conditioned office, 27-year-old banker Aykhan found this week’s heatwave a breeze.Smiling while grabbing lunch in the shopping centre under the gleaming One Canada Square skyscraper in Canary Wharf, he said he’d been sleeping very well over the last few days. “It’s a new flat, the air-con is great, my bedroom is cool.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
Arrive three hours before flight home, airline boss tells UK holidaymakers
Wizz Air CEO Yvonne Moynihan also advises passengers to carry portable chargers and water due to lengthy queues.
bbc.com
Tickets for festivals are getting more expensive - we compared them
Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury, Parklife and Download have surged in price.
bbc.com
How a borough in Merseyside is bucking the UK's youth unemployment trend
Could personalised early intervention help prevent under-16s falling into the Neet trap?
bbc.com
Universal rejects billionaire Bill Ackman's takeover bid
The music giant said Pershing Square's offer fundamentally undervalued the business.
bbc.com
Only three-quarters of first class mail delivered on time
Royal Mail says its service is improving and that it is on track to hit the regulator Ofcom's reduced targets
bbc.com
Energy bills to go up for Power NI and Firmus customers
Both suppliers have said the increase is due to higher global energy and gas prices.
bbc.com
Top UK chefs call for cutting VAT for pubs and restaurants to 10%
Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, Ravneet Gill and Simon Rogan told BBC Newsnight VAT should be halved to ease mounting pressure on the hospitality industry.
bbc.com
Humanoid robots 'the future' of car making, says BMW
BMW is introducing humanoid robots to a car plant in Europe, building on similar projects in the US.
bbc.com
Is 'out of control' US tipping culture spreading overseas?
With US waiting staff getting cross at receiving less than 20%, tips are also on the rise elsewhere.
bbc.com
How a rise in energy bills will affect you from July
Household energy prices will rise by 13% a year in July, as soaring wholesale costs caused by the US-Israel war with Iran hit bills for the first time.
bbc.com
Why it's now harder to get a Saturday job
The boss of Next has warned there has been a "dramatic fall" in the number of entry-level job opportunities in the UK.
bbc.com
The rise of the fruit that tastes like custard
Custard apple plants are prized for their hardiness but exporting their delicate fruit is difficult.
bbc.com
This beach hut costs the same as a three-bedroom house
A beach hut has gone on the market for £200,000 - the same price as some houses further along the Welsh coast.
bbc.com
Morocco wants tourists to visit Western Sahara. Some say it's tightening its control
The Moroccan government wants more Western holidaymakers to visit the territory it claims to own.
bbc.com
'Six eggs used to be £1' - why everyday essentials cost so much more now
Six supermarket brand eggs cost £1 in 2022. How much are they now, why have they gone up, and is anyone profiteering?
bbc.com
The Leeds designer outlet that's 15 miles from Leeds
A rebrand of the junction 32 retail park off the M62 has gone down poorly with some locals in Castleford.
bbc.com
Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?
Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?
bbc.com
Love factually: Dating start-ups promise to cut the cheats
Frustration with fake dating profiles has spurred new dating services with different approaches.
bbc.com
The fight against foreign developers buying Caribbean beaches
Campaigners in Barbuda, Grenada and Jamaica say they can no longer access their coastlines.
bbc.com
Robo-top: The machines that could make your next t-shirt
Most clothes are made in Asia, but new machines could bring some of that work back to the West.
bbc.com
Why does Amazon have no Western rivals?
The internet giant dwarfs other online retailers on both sides of the Atlantic.
bbc.com
Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'
One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.
bbc.com
Inside the secretive and lucrative world of orchid breeding
It can take a decade to bring a new orchid to market, so breeders keep their hi-tech processes secret.
bbc.com
Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever
The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.
bbc.com
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
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